Musical box construction



March 26, 1957 w, Q GORR 2,786,381

MUSICAL BOX CONSTRUCTION Filed June 28. 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 l/ /IIJ /17 TTOEA/Ey.

March 26, 1957 w. o. GoRR MUSICAL BOX CONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 28, 1954 INVENTOR. WALTER QRR United States Patent lO MUSICAL BOX CONSTRUCTION Walter 0. Gori, Glendale, Calif., assignor to Knickerhocker Plastic Co., Inc., North Hollywood, Calif., a corporation of California Application June 28, 1954, Serial No. 439,683

9 Claims. (Cl. 849S) This invention relates to a musical toy in the form of a music box operated by a rotary movement of a handle. The invention more particularly concerns a music box construction having a musical comb the teeth of which are sequentially arranged and adapted to be successively plucked throughout the length of the row in which they are arranged to produce a chosen melody.

Music box instruments of the foregoing type generally comprise a cylinder with projections punched upfrom the surface thereof, and rotated by means of a driving mechanism to bring the projections on the cylinder into striking contact with the free ends of the respective teeth of the comb at selected intervals, causing the teeth to vibrate and produce the desired tones.

An object of this invention is to devise a music box mechanism of the foregoing type having novel means to facilitate assembly and operation of such mechanism.

Another object is the provision of a musical box which is simple, compact and inexpensive.

My invention is in the form of a musical box comprising a frame mounted in a case and a musical comb having a series of teeth or tines in parallel spaced relation to each other, connected to the frame. A cylinder having a number of spaced projections on the surface thereof is mounted for rotation on the frame on an axis perpendicular to said teeth. These projections are located in alignment with the comb teeth. The cylinder is positioned so that its Youter surface is spaced a short distance from the free ends of the teeth and so that-the projections on the cylinder will engage the free ends 'of such teeth on rotation of the cylinder to cause the teeth to vibrate. A pinion is mounted on the axis of the cylinder at one end thereof to drive the cylinder.

A rod carrying at one end a worm vand at the other end a crank and handle extends through an aperture in the case or housing of the device, with the crank and handle located outside the case. The worm on the rod is mounted within the case in meshing engagement with the pinion for driving the cylinder, by means of a bracket connected to the rod adjacent the worm, which bracket is in turn pivotally mounted on the frame or the axle of lthe cylinder. By so mounting the bracket'to permit pivotal movement of the rod and bracket about the axis of the cylinder, l can readily assemble the outer case on the device. This is accomplished by manipulating the pivotal rod into a convenient position to slide the rod through an aperture in the case, followed by positioning and fastening the case to the base of my device with the rod pivoted into its nal position with respect to the aperture in the case so that the outer portion of the rod projects exteriorly of the case to permit operation of the device.

The above noted pivoted rod structure avoids the complicated means of the prior `art for assembling the case on the device, especially due to the crank rod with its outwardly projecting portion. Such feature also facilitates operation of my music box at various positions of the handle.

Patented Mar. 26, 1957 The invention will be more clearly understood from the description below of a preferred embodiment taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of my device with the cover of the case broken away;

Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation, taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a section taken on line 3--3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a section taken on line 4 4 of Fig. l;

Fig. 5 is a plan View of the musical comb of my device;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of a structural feature of my invention;

Fig. 7 is an illustration of the manner in which the case or housing is assembled on my device; and

Fig. 8 is an isometric View of a feature of my device.

Numeral 10 represents a frame which is adapted to be positioned within a housing or case 12 by means of screws or other fasteners 14 passing through brackets 16 located along the sides of the frame, and the base 18 of the device.

A musical comb 20 comprising a series of parallel reeds or teeth 22 each fastened at one end of a block 24, is positioned on the at upper portion 26 of frame 10 and fastened thereto by means of screws 28 passing first through washers 30 and plate 32 positioned over the block 24 of the comb, and then passing through holes 34 in block 24, lower plate 35, and holes 36 in the frame 10. The elongated teeth 22 are parallel to each other and are of varying lengths to produce the desired tones. The free ends 38 of the teeth of the comb extend a short distance beyond the inner longitudinal edge 40 of the upper portion 26 of frame 10, into the space 42 formed in the frame. rl`he teeth of the comb are also spaced from the surface of the at portion 26 of frame 10 by means of the lower plate 35, to permit the teeth to vibrate freely when the ends thereof are struck in the manner described below. The comb may be formed by punching out the teeth from a single strip of sheet steel or other metal, or it may be formed by fixing one end of each of a series of teeth Ior pins 22, which may be round or polygonal, in the block 24 by any suitable means.

A substantially rectangular space 42 is formed in frame 10 by the arms 44 and the cross member 46. In this space is positioned a cylinder 48 mounted for rotation on an axle 50 journaled in end members or brackets 52 and S2 of arms 44. The cylinder 48 is generally formed of a sheet metal strip which is rolled into the form of a cylinder, the ends of which are positioned in caps 56 carrying the axle 50, and secured thereto by suitable means. In the embodiment shown, the tension of the rolled sheet alone is sufficient to hold lthe cylinder in these caps. While in flat sheet form, projections in the form of aps or tongues 58 are punched up from the surface of the sheet, so that when the sheet is rolled into a cylinder and positioned in frame 10 between end members 52, 52' these projections are in alignment with the teeth 22 and are so spaced from each other as to give the desired tones when the drum is rotated to bring these projections into contact with the free ends of the teeth 22. The cylinder 48 is positioned in the frame so that the outer surface of the cylinder is spaced substantially parallel to a line joining the free ends of teeth 22, such surfaces being disposed a short distance from the ends of the teeth 22 so that the projections 58 onthe cylinder will pluck the free ends 38 of the teeth when the cylinder is rotated. As seen in Fig. 4, cylinder 48 is also positioned in the frame so that comb 20 is in a horizontal plane in alignment with a diameter of the cylinder.

A pinion 60 for driving cylinder 48 is iixedly connected axially to `axle 50 between one end of the cylinder 3 and the adjacent frame bracket 52'. -Member 62 for operating the pinion is in the form of a rod 64 which extends through an aperture 66 in the case 12, the rod having a crank 68 and `a handle 70 connected at right angles to the outer end of the crank. The outer end 71 of the rod including7 crank 68 and the handle, is located outside the case `12. At the inner end of the rod a worm gear 72 is provided by winding a wire in the form of a spiral between the upper ends 74 of a bracket 76, these ends lbring friction fitted about the rod for securing same to the bracket. Bracket 76 is positioned to one side of rod 64, and has an end portion 78 which is curved back against the bracket, aligned apertures 80 and 81 being provided in the bracket and such portion 78, respectively.

Bracket 76 is freely mounted on axle 50, between pinion 60, and its adjacent frame bracket 52', the axle being received in apertures 80 and 81 of bracket 76. Thus, bracket 76 and rod structure 62 can be freely pivoted about the axle 50 whether or not the latter is in rotation. The distance along bracket 76 between the pivot point thereof or its point of attachment to axle t), and the worm 72 is substantially equal to lthe radius of pinion 60, so that when the bracket 76 is pivotally mounted in the manner above described, the worm 72 is in meshing er1- gagernent with the teeth of pinion 6). lt is accordingly seen that rod 64 and the bracket 76 connected thereto may be pivoted in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction approximately in a 180 arc about axle 50, with the worm at all times remaining in operative engagement with the pinion 60 regardless as to the position into which the rod and bracket are pivoted. Hence, the cylinder `4S may be driven to operate the music box through the pinion 6) and worm 72, by turning the crank 65 and rotating the rod 64 at any position of the rod within the above noted 180 arc.

An advantage of the rotating or pivotal rod structure of the invention is that the case or housing 12 may be readily assembled on the device in proper relation to the rod 64. To assemble the housing on frame and its associated structure posi-tioned on base 1S, the rod 64 is pivoted upwardly into a position such as indicated in Fig. 7, the rod being disposed at an `angle to the base 18 of the device. With the rod held in this position by one hand, the case 10 is manipulated with the other hand to register the handle 79 of the rod 64 with the aperture 66 in the case. The case 10 is then turned and manipulated to permit the crank 68 to pass through the aperture 66 and then to permit such aperture to receive the outer end 71 of the rod 64. During this procedure, rod 64 may be pivotcd in one direction or the other to facilitate I the operation. When the rod has thus been received in aperture 66 of the case, the case is then placed in position over the base 18 with the lower ends of the case resting on the `base adjacent the outer periphery thereof :is seen in Fig. 2. 18 by any suitable means, e. g., an adhesive.

Since the pivotal rod and worm structure of the invention enables the drive rod 64 to be pivoted at substantially any angle within a 180 arc as aforementioned, while still being operative for driving the cylinder 48 by turning handle 70, case 12 can be constructed with its aperture 66 located at any position along this arc for receiving rod 64. For example, instead of rod 64.- being disposed in a substantially horizontal position as shown in Fig. 2, aperture 66 may be located at the top of case 12 with rod 64 positioned vertically to the base 18, or aperture 66 may be located at a position in the case so as to hold rod 64 at about a 45 angle to base 1S. In either of these latter positions, the music box may be readily operated by grasping handle 7G and rotating crank If desired, the case 12 may be omitted and the device operated by turning crank 68 while rod 64 is located at any position within the 180 arc extending from its position shown in Fig. 3 on one side of base 18 to the oppo- The case can be secured to the base site side thereof. Under these conditions, the cylinder 48 can be made easier to operate since it permits the handle 70, by upward pivotal movement of rod 64, to be removed from proximity with any obstruction, such as, for example, a table top on which the device is positioned, and thus avoids contact with such obstruction of the hand or lingers operating the handle.

Also, if I so desire, I can mount bracket 76 and rod 74 independently of axle 50 by supporting the adjacent end of axle on a frame member other than 52', and pivotally connecting bracket 76 to end member 52 adjacent pinion by a pivot pin passing through apertures and 81 of member 76, the pivot pin being in alignment with the Vaxis of the cylinder.

While I have described a particular embodiment of my invention for the purpose of illustration, it should be understood that various modifications and adaptations thereof may be made within the spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

l. A music box mechanism which comprises a frame, a plurality `of parallel elongated teeth, each of said teeth being mounted at one end on said frame, a cylinder mounted for rotation on said 'frame adjacent the free ends of said teeth, a plurality of projections on the outer surface of said cylinder adapted to engage the free ends of said teeth, a pinion mounted on the axis of said cylinder adjacent one end thereof to drive said cylinder, a rod, a worm gear connected to one end of said rod, a handle connected to the other end of said rod, said worm gear being in meshing engagement with said pinion, and means to mount said rod for pivotal movement of said rod and said worm.

2. A music box mechanism which comprises a case, a frame in said case, a plurality of parallel elongated teeth, each of said teeth being mounted at one end on said frame, a cylinder mounted for rot-ation on said frame adjacent the free ends of said teeth, a plurality of projections on the outer surface of said cylinder adapted to engage the free ends of said teeth, a pinion mounted on the axis of said cylinder adjacent one end thereof to drive said cylinder, a rod, a worm gear connected to one end of said rod, a handle connected to the other end of said rod, said rod extending through said case with the handle disposed exteriorly thereof, said Worm gear being in meshing engagement with said pinion, and means to mount said rod for pivotal movement of said rod and said worm -at said one end thereof.

3. A music box mechanism which comprises a frame, a plurality of parallel elongated teeth each of said teeth being mounted at one end on said frame, a cylinder mounted for rotation on said frame and closely adjacent but free from contact with the free ends of said teeth, a plurality of tongues projecting from the outer surface of said cylinder and punched therefrom, said tongues being adapted to engage the free ends of said teeth, a pinion axially connected to said cylinder adjacent one end thereof for rotation of said cylinder, a rod having a worm gear formed at one end thereof, a crank connected to the other end of said rod, said worm gear meshing with said pinion, and a bracket connected to said one end of said rod adjacent said worm gear, said bracket being mounted for pivotal movement of said rod and said bracket about the axis of said cylinder.

4. A music box mechanism which comprises a case, a frame mounted in said case, a plurality of parallel elongated teeth each of said teeth being mounted at one end on said frame, a cylinder mounted for rotation on said frame and closely adjacent but free from contact with the free ends of said teeth, a plurality of tongues projecting from the outer surface of said cylinder and punched therefrom, said tongues being adapted to engage the free ends of said teeth, a pinion axially connected to said cylinder adjacent one end thereof for rotation of said cylinder, a rod having a worm gear formed at one end thereof, a crank connected to the other end of said rod, said rod extending through said case with said crank disposed exteriorly of said c-ase, said worm gear meshing with said pinion, and a bracket connected to said one end of said rod adjacent said worm gear, said bracket being mounted for pivotal movement of said -rod and said bracket about the axis of said cylinder.

5. A music box device which comprises a frame, a comb mounted in said frame, 4said comb having a plurality of teeth of varying lengths, said teeth being fixed at one end thereof and free at their opposite ends, a cylinder rotatably mounted in said frame on an axis perpendicular to said teeth, the surface of said cylinder being disposed closely adjacent but free from contact with the free ends of said teeth, a plurality of tongues projecting from the outer surface of said cylinder and punched therefrom, said tongues being adapted to engage the free ends of said teeth, a pinion axially connected to said cylinder adjacent one end thereof for rotation of said cylinder, a rod having a worm gear formed at one end thereof and a crank connected to the other end of said rod, said rod being mounted in a plane perpendicular to the axis of said cylinder With said Worm gear being positioned in driving engagement with said pinion, and a bracket connected to said one end of said rod adjacent said Worm gear, said bracket being pivotally mounted in said frame at a point substantially in alignment with the axis of said cylinder for pivotal movement of said bracket, said rod and said Worm gear about the axis of said cylinder.

6. A music box device which comprises a case, a frame mounted in said case, a comb mounted in said frame, said comb having a plurality of teeth of varying lengths, said teeth being fixed at one end thereof and free at their opposite ends, a cylinder` rotatably mounted in said frame on an axis perpendicular to said teeth, the surface of said cylinder being disposed closely adjacent but free from contact with the free ends of said teeth, a plurality of tongues projecting from the outer surface of said cylinder and punched therefrom, said tongues being adapted to engage the free ends of said teeth, a pinion axially connected to said cylinder adjacent one end thereof for rotation of said cylinder, a rod having a Worm gear formed at one end thereof and a crank connected to the other end of said rod, said rod being mounted in a plane perpendicular to the axis of said cylinder, said rod extending through an aperture in said case with said crank disposed exteriorly of said case, said worm gear being positioned in driving engagement with said pinion, and a bracket connected to said one end of said rod adjacent said worm gear, said bracket being pivotally mounted in said frame at a point substantially in alignment with the axis of said cylinder for pivotal movement of said bracket, said rod and said Worm gear about the axis of said cylinder.

7. A music box device which comprises a case, a frame mounted in said case, -a comb mounted in said frame, said comb having a plurality of teeth of varying lengths, said teeth being xed at one end thereof and free at their opposite ends, a cylinder iixed for rotation on an -axle on said frame, the surface of said cylinder being disposed closely adjacent but free from contact with the free ends of 'said teeth, a plurality of tongues projecting from the outer surface of said cylinder and punched therefrom, said tongues being adapted .to engage the free ends of said teeth, a pinion ixedly rnounted on said `axle adjacent one end of said cylinder for rotation thereof, a rod having a worm gear integrally formed at one end thereof `and a crank connected to the other end of said rod, said rod extending through an aperture in said case with said crank disposed exteriorly of said case, said worm gear being positioned in driving engagement With said pinion, and a bracket connected to said one end of said rod adjacent said worm gear, said bracket being freely mounted on said axle for pivotal movement of said bracket, said rod and said worm gear about the axis of said cylinder.

8. A music box mechanism which comprises a frame, a cylinder mounted for rotation on said frame, means cooperating with said cylinder for emitting musical tones on rotation of said cylinder, and means for driving said cylinder, said last named means comprising a pinion mounted on the axis of said cylinder adjacent one end thereof in driving relation to said cylinder, a rod carrying at one end thereof a worm gear and at the other end a crank, said worm gear drivingly meshing with said pinion, and a bracket connected to said one end of said rod adjacent said worm gear, said bracket being pivotally mounted on said frame at a point substantially in alignment with the axis of said cylinder for pivotal movement of said bracket, said rod and said worm gear about the axis of said cylinder.

9. ln a music box mechanism, movable means, means cooperating with. said movable means for producing musical tones, and means for driving said movable means, said last named means including a pinion, a rod carrying at one end thereof a worm gear positioned along the axis of said rod, a crank at the other end of said rod for rotating same, said worm gear being in meshing engagement With said pinion, and means to mount said rod for pivotal movement of said rod and said worm gear about said pinion While maintaining said worm gear in meshing relation with said pinion.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 64l,454 Landa Ian. l6, 1900 FOREIGN PATENTS 10,944 Great Britain Sept. l5, 1885 279,327 Switzerland Mar. l, 1952 

